Alfalfa County, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Alfalfa County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
. As of 2000, the population is 6,105. Its county seat
is Cherokee
. Alfalfa County was formed in 1907 from Woods County
. The county is named after William H. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray
, the president of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention and ninth governor of Oklahoma.
inhabited and hunted in this area for thousands of years. By 1750, the Osage
had become a dominant tribe in the area. About one third belonged to the band led by Chief Black Dog (Manka - Chonka). Before 1800 they made the Black Dog Trail starting east of Baxter Springs, Kansas
and going northwest to their summer hunting grounds at the Great Salt Plains in present-day Alfalfa County. The Osage stopped at the springs for its healing properties on their way to hunting at the plains, which attracted migratory birds and varieties of wildlife. The Osage name for this fork of the Arkansas River was Nescatunga (big salt water), what European-Americans later called the Salt Fork. The Osage cleared the trail of brush and large rocks, and made ramps at the fords. Wide enough for eight men riding horses abreast, the trail was the first improved road in Kansas and Oklahoma.
, the county has a total area of 881 square miles (2,281.8 km²), of which 867 square miles (2,245.5 km²) is land and 15 square miles (38.8 km²) (1.68%) is water.
of 2000, there were 6,105 people, 2,199 households, and 1,482 families residing in the county. The population density
was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 2,832 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.42% White
, 4.19% Black
or African American
, 2.74% Native American
, 0.11% Asian
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
, 1.38% from other races
, and 2.11% from two or more races. 2.90% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 96.7% spoke English
and 2.1% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 2,199 households out of which 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples
living together, 5.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 31.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the county, the population was spread out with 19.40% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 131.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 142.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,259, and the median income for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $24,067 versus $17,944 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $14,704. About 11.80% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.
:
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. As of 2000, the population is 6,105. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Cherokee
Cherokee, Oklahoma
Cherokee is a city in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,630 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alfalfa County.-History:Cherokee is the location of the Cherokee IOOF Lodge No...
. Alfalfa County was formed in 1907 from Woods County
Woods County, Oklahoma
Woods County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 9,089. Its county seat is Alva. The county is named after Samuel Newitt Wood, a renowned Kansas populist. -Geography:According to the U.S...
. The county is named after William H. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray
William H. Murray
William Henry Davis "Alfalfa Bill" Murray was an American teacher, lawyer, and politician who became active in Oklahoma before statehood as legal adviser to Governor Douglas H. Johnston of the Chickasaw Nation...
, the president of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention and ninth governor of Oklahoma.
History
Indigenous peoplesIndigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
inhabited and hunted in this area for thousands of years. By 1750, the Osage
Osage Nation
The Osage Nation is a Native American Siouan-language tribe in the United States that originated in the Ohio River valley in present-day Kentucky. After years of war with invading Iroquois, the Osage migrated west of the Mississippi River to their historic lands in present-day Arkansas, Missouri,...
had become a dominant tribe in the area. About one third belonged to the band led by Chief Black Dog (Manka - Chonka). Before 1800 they made the Black Dog Trail starting east of Baxter Springs, Kansas
Baxter Springs, Kansas
Baxter Springs is a town situated along the Spring River in the extreme southeastern part of Cherokee County, located in southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,238...
and going northwest to their summer hunting grounds at the Great Salt Plains in present-day Alfalfa County. The Osage stopped at the springs for its healing properties on their way to hunting at the plains, which attracted migratory birds and varieties of wildlife. The Osage name for this fork of the Arkansas River was Nescatunga (big salt water), what European-Americans later called the Salt Fork. The Osage cleared the trail of brush and large rocks, and made ramps at the fords. Wide enough for eight men riding horses abreast, the trail was the first improved road in Kansas and Oklahoma.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 881 square miles (2,281.8 km²), of which 867 square miles (2,245.5 km²) is land and 15 square miles (38.8 km²) (1.68%) is water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 64
State Highway 8State Highway 8 (Oklahoma)State Highway 8, also abbreviated as SH-8 or OK-8, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Because it runs mainly north–south, it has an even number . Highway 8 runs from U.S...
State Highway 11State Highway 11 (Oklahoma)State Highway 11 is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs in an irregular west-to-east path 208 miles across the northern part of the state, from US-281 seven miles north of Alva to I-244/US-412 in Tulsa...
State Highway 38State Highway 38 (Oklahoma)State Highway 38 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs for in an irregular south-to-north pattern in eastern Alfalfa County, in the northwest part of the state. The highway begins at US-64 in Jet and extends to SH-11...- State Highway 45State Highway 45 (Oklahoma)State Highway 45 is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs west-to-east through Woods, Alfalfa and Garfield counties.-Route description:SH-45 begins at the US-281/SH-14 junction in Waynoka...
State Highway 58
Adjacent counties
- Harper County, KansasHarper County, KansasHarper County is a county located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 6,034. Its county seat and most populous city is Anthony...
(northeast) - Grant CountyGrant County, OklahomaGrant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010 census, the population was 4,527. Its county seat is Medford.-History:...
(east) - Garfield CountyGarfield County, OklahomaGarfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma named after President James A. Garfield. As of 2010, the population was 60,580. Enid is the county seat and largest city within Garfield County...
(southeast) - Major CountyMajor County, OklahomaMajor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 7,545. Its county seat is Fairview. Located in northwestern Oklahoma. Major County is bounded by Woods and Alfalfa counties in the north, Garfield County on the east, Kingfisher, Blaine and Dewey on...
(south) - Woods CountyWoods County, OklahomaWoods County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 9,089. Its county seat is Alva. The county is named after Samuel Newitt Wood, a renowned Kansas populist. -Geography:According to the U.S...
(west) - Barber County, KansasBarber County, KansasBarber County is a county located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,861. Its county seat and most populous city is Medicine Lodge...
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,105 people, 2,199 households, and 1,482 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 2,832 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.42% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.19% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.74% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.11% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.38% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.11% from two or more races. 2.90% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 96.7% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 2.1% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 2,199 households out of which 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 31.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the county, the population was spread out with 19.40% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 131.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 142.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,259, and the median income for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $24,067 versus $17,944 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $14,704. About 11.80% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
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Carmen, Oklahoma Carmen is a town in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 411 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Carmen is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.... Cherokee, Oklahoma Cherokee is a city in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,630 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alfalfa County.-History:Cherokee is the location of the Cherokee IOOF Lodge No... Goltry, Oklahoma Goltry is a town in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 268 at the 2000 census. Goltry shares a school district with the nearby town of Helena, Oklahoma.-Geography:Goltry is located at .... Helena, Oklahoma Helena is a town in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 443 at the 2000 census. Residents pronounce the town's name with a long E: "Heh-LEE'-nuh." It shares a school district with the nearby town of Goltry, Oklahoma.-Geography:... |
Ingersoll, Oklahoma Ingersoll is a small unincorporated community in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States. The post office was established September 13, 1901, and discontinued December 31, 1942. The Ingersoll Tile Elevator is on the National Register of Historic Places.... Jet, Oklahoma Jet is a town in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 230 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Jet is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.... Lambert, Oklahoma Lambert is a town in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was six at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lambert is located at .... |
NRHP sites
The following sites in Alfalfa County are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
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Cherokee IOOF Lodge No. 219 The Cherokee IOOF Lodge No. 219 is an Odd Fellows building in Cherokee, Oklahoma that was built in 1931. It has served historically as a clubhouse, as a restaurant, as a mortuary, and as a business. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.It is one of four historic,... , Cherokee Ingersoll Tile Elevator The Ingersoll Tile Elevator, located in Ingersoll, Oklahoma, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The elevator is constructed of hollow red clay tiles. Built around 1920, it was added to the Register because of its significance in the transition from wooden grain... , Ingersoll Sod House (Cleo Springs, Oklahoma) The Sod House in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma, also known as Marshall McCully Sod House was built in 1894. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The Sod House Museum maintains the structure.... , Cleo Springs |